Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth

Employer / Organization

Next Election

Nov 06, 2018

Filing Window

Mar 01, 2018 - May 01, 2018

Description

The Secretary of the Commonwealth for Massachusetts (equivalent to the Secretary of State) is the principle public information official in the state of Massachusetts. The secretary oversees historical records and preservation, public records, and the registry of deeds. Massachusetts is one of the few states whose guidelines do not require proponents to file initiatives with the secretary of commonwealth first. In this state, one must first assemble 10 registered electors to sponsor a ballot. Then, with the full text of the ballot in had, they must arrive at the Election Commission or the board of registrars to file the petition. This must be done by the first Wednesday of August. After the proponents have proven that they are registered voters, the attorney general will write a summary for the ballot and have it returned to the proponents. This is when the secretary of commonwealth file both the ballot language and the summary of the ballot. The secretary will then prepare blank petition forms with the summary printed on it for signature gathering. These forms will be available within 14 days of the submission. In order to pick these petition forms up from the printer, proponents must have an authorization slip from the secretary of commonwealth. Enough petition forms will be supplied to gather more than the required amount, but petitioners may print as many extra copies as they like. The salry for this position is $130,262/year.

Application Guidelines

To file as an independent candidate for a partisan office follow these three steps: 1) Contact the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division to confirm that your registered address qualifies you for the position you intend to run for, and that you meet other office specific qualifications. Obtain the candidacy filing forms and petitions either in person or by mail. 2) Complete the required candidacy paperwork including petition requirements, campaign finance forms and other office specific requirements. Campaign finance forms are to be submitted to the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance for state positions and the Federal Elections Commission for federal candidates. State positions require 300 and 150 signatures for State Senate and State Representative respectively. To run for U.S. Representative, 2,000 signatures are required. 3) Submit the nomination papers to the local registrar or clerk in order to be certified authentic by four weeks prior to the last Tuesday in May if you are running for a state position. If you are running for U.S. Representative or U.S. Senator, the signatures are due to the local registrar or clerk by four weeks prior to the last Tuesday in August. After being certified by a local registrar or clerk, signature petitions are due to the Massachusetts Secretary of State Elections Division the last Tuesday in May for state positions and the last Tuesday in August for U.S. Representative and U.S. Senate positions. Listed below is the phone number of the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division, which serves as the point of contact for any questions or concerns. Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division can be reached at (617) 727-2828 and the Massachusetts Candidates Guide can be found here: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/Candidates-Guide-2016.pdf